Listens – Tom Harrell, “Body and Soul”

What is Reads Listens Views?

If you’re new to the Rookie Scouting Portfolio blog, welcome. I post links on Fridays to content I’m saving for later consumption or pieces that I found compelling. You may not like everything listed here, but you’re bound to like something.

RSP Rorschach: Devin Funchess (My Take)

Devin Funchess is a heralded prospect, but is he the culprit behind this incomplete pass? You vote. Photo by MGoBlog.

While I’m reviewing games of prospects, I’ll come across a play where the root cause of its failure isn’t so clear. I draw a parallel between these plays and the Rorschach Test and I enjoy giving readers an opportunity to watch them and let them vote on what they think is the most important factor. Last week, I posted an RSP Rorschach that was a deep target to Michigan receiver Devin Funchess. Today I’ll give you make take on the play.

There were four options a reader could choose as the most important factor that contributed to this incomplete pass. I listed the percentage of readers who voted for each category in parenthesis.

Funchess’ hand position as he extended for the football (33.75%).

The trajectory of the throw (15%).

The safety distracting Funchess (7.5%).

Funchess fading away (43.75%).

Like the majority of your, I voted for No.4 – Fading away. While the trajectory of the throw could have been better, teaching a quarterback better timing and anticipation on deep routes is a long-term process and some quarterbacks never master it. Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith is a fine example of a pro quarterback with limited deep accuracy.

A coach may continuously be working with a quarterback to develop his skills in the vertical passing game, Funchess had room to break inside. If he did so, he would have had a better angle to attack the ball than the one he created when fading away. His hands and torso would have been in a better position, which is why the hand position answer doesn’t ring true to me.

I’ve seen Funchess catch enough passes that his hand position on this specific vertical route seems more like a result of his decision to fade away from the safety. In a sense, Funchess is created a situation that was more difficult for him to get his hands into proper position. If he broke inside he would not need to extend his arms across his body.

Although the safety’s presence forced Funchess to fade and ultimately got his hand into the catch zone, Funchess would have been in better position to avoid this if he broke inside. The receiver had room to break inside, turn towards the target, and generate some contact with the defender — possibly boxing out the safety — while attacking the football. Funchess then isn’t reacting to the safety as much as forcing the defender to react to him. He also raises the potential of the safety committing an interference foul on the play.

There is no definitive answer, but this is the reasoning behind my take. More of these to come.

Download the 2014 Rookie Scouting Portfolio + Post-Draft Update!

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Listens – Killer Mike on CNN

One thing that the general public often misses when they comment on interviews is that responding well to televised conversations with a broadcast commentator is a skill. Mike Render does a fantastic of job of answering questions that could easily type cast him. We all transcend labels and this rapper, business owner, and son of a police officer does a fantastic job of illustrating how not to get cornered by typical media assumptions.